Swans Spectacular Jr. Boys Rugby Tournament

The Stratford Black Swans Rugby Club hosted their first annual Swans Spectacular Jr. Boys Exhibition Tournament on April 19 at the Army Navy in Stratford.
The event is aimed at raising awareness of the clubs development programs and giving Huron Perth teams some early season exhibition games to gear up for the season.

The Huskies had a solid day finishing undefeated in their 3 games.

Northwestern started off the day vs. St. Anne’s with a 15-5 victory. The boys dictated the play and held St. Anne’s off the score board until late in the game. Neil Trainor, Nate MacDonald and Sammi Roes scored tries for the Huskies.

In their 2nd match of the day the boys squared off against F.E. Madill. Again the Huskies got off to a good start, going into the half with a 12-0 lead on tries by Roes and Hawkins and a conversion by Brett Maguire. Madill would score in the 2nd half resulting in a 12-5 final.

The final game of the day proved to be the most difficult and gruelling against rivals St. Mike’s. In a back and forth 1st half the Huskies were finally able to turn some outstanding forward play from Bailey Read and Matt Thomson into 5 points when 8 man and captain Trainor punched in a try. The 2nd half featured much of the same back and forth play, but Northwestern was able to withstand numerous strong pushes from St. Mike’s. MacDonald and Thomson combined for an outstanding tackle and counter ruck that led to a turnover and full field dash for flanker Bailey Satchell to score the try that put things away.
The Sr. boys teams from Northwestern and St. Mike’s also played on April 19 in a pre-season exhibition match.

Northwestern was able to weather an early push by St. Mike’s and eventually grind their way into their opposition’s territory. Jon Strahan scored a try on a quick tap from a penalty, and Jakeob Hartemink finished off some decent ball movement by the Huskies backs for Northwestern’s tries in the first half and the boys were up 10-0 at the break. Northwestern could not match St. Mike’s intensity in the 2nd half however giving up 17 unanswered points to eventually fall 17-10. Standout players included Mackenzie Chute and Tola Francis.

Both the Jr. and Sr. boys kick off their Huron Perth season next Wed. Apr. 25 in Clinton vs. St. Anne’s. Northwestern will also be hosting the 30th annual Miller Cup Rugby Tournament coming up on May 2nd.